Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Stands By White House Covid Response, Says Pandemic ‘Will Get Better’
Touching on a host of health care issues during his two-hour press conference, President Joe Biden defended shifting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying, “the messages, to the extent they’ve been confusing — it’s because the scientists, they’re learning more.” He also acknowledged his social spending plan would likely have to be carved up into pieces to pass Congress.
With Legal Challenges Exhausted, How Many Health Workers Remain Unvaccinated?
A final legal block to the federal requirement was just lifted in Texas, meaning most health workers in all states must now get vaccinated against covid. Yet, just weeks before the rule takes effect, it’s still unclear how many are holding out — making it difficult for hospitals to prepare for potential staffing crunches.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Entire Health Care System Shouldering The Burden Of Ivermectin
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine topics.
Editorial writers delve into these various public health issues.
Health Care Promises May Bite Back In Midterm Elections, Democrat Warns
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Puerto Rico Suffered Lingering Health Effects From 2017 Hurricane
Higher rates of obesity, high cholesterol and more were identified as long-term health impacts in survivors of 2017’s Hurricane Maria. In other news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added 22 international destinations to its “very high” covid risk list, including Israel and Australia.
Patient Groups Try Calling Medicare Officials Villains Over Aduhelm Ruling
Politico covers aggressive pushback from drugmakers and patient advocacy groups over the recent decision to strongly limit Medicare coverage of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm. Meanwhile, Axios says six big health insurers dominate the fast-growing Medicare Advantage market.
Snapchat Tries To Limit Kids Buying Drugs Through Its App
News outlets cover moves by social media app Snapchat to limit kids’ access to drug deals on its service, including making it more difficult to target users under 18 by changing its “Quick Add” system. In other news, airlines are stepping up safety and aircraft cleaning to combat covid.
West Virginia Moves Toward Banning Abortions After 15 Weeks
The proposal introduced by lawmakers is reportedly “nearly identical” to a law currently under review in Mississippi. Also: Maine’s plans to fix its insurance exchange; mental health excuses for student absences in Kentucky; suspension of a Florida health official for trying to compel vaccines; and more.
Pfizer’s Antiviral Pill Works Against Omicron
Paxlovid appears to combat omicron covid, the drugmaker said, effectively working to prevent the virus from replicating. Canada just approved the drug for certain classes of covid patients, but reports from the Bay Area News Group highlight that finding the drug and its rivals remains hard in the U.S.
Illegal Supply Network Accused Of Selling Fake Gilead HIV Drugs
Meanwhile, Stat reports that low-cost biosimilar drug provision in the U.S. is being stymied by a “thicket” of patents. Other drug company news includes Bristol Myers Squibb plans, a $3 billion biotech fund aimed at disease “reversal,” and big data’s failure to combat covid.
Healthy Kids Don’t Need Booster Shots, WHO Asserts
In the face of global vaccine inequality, the World Health Organization says that there is “no evidence” that healthy children and adolescents need booster shots. Meanwhile, a German study says three Pfizer shots may protect people against the omicron variant of covid.
One Year In, Biden’s Health Agenda Hampered By Covid, Divided Congress
Ahead of the anniversary of his inauguration, news outlets review President Joe Biden’s first year in office (Spoiler alert: covid, covid, covid. And Congress.) and look ahead to year two that will include critical midterm elections. Biden will mark the occasion with a press conference.
Restrictions On Blood Donations By Gay Men At Issue Amid Shortage
Against the backdrop of a national blood supply crisis, the Biden administration says that a study into the controversial Food and Drug Administration policy is ongoing and acknowledged the historical stigma it has placed on the LGBTQ+ community.
Genetic Risk Factor May Be Why Some People Lose Sense Of Smell, Taste
A study published Monday said that a genetic “locus” — a fixed position of a gene on a chromosome — near two olfactory genes is associated with covid-induced loss of smell and taste, NBC News reported. This risk factor increases the likelihood a person will lose their sense of smell or taste by 11%, researchers said.
Still Deadly: Omicron May Kill Tens Of Thousands More Americans By March
Don’t call the variant mild, since even if it does seem to cause less serious symptoms for some people, recent models place its potential impact as causing anywhere between 50,000 and 300,000 more deaths by mid-March. Other data says a million more hospitalizations could happen, too.
Omicron Could End Pandemic, Limit Future Covid Severity, Study Shows
Though there are warnings that omicron won’t be the “final” variant of covid, a new study says omicron really could be the final chapter of the pandemic and end the global health emergency since it causes less serious illness and leads to protection against the delta variant.
You Can Order Free Covid Tests Now As Government’s Beta Website Opens
COVIDtests.gov is set to officially launch mid-morning Wednesday, though the site was quietly made available the day before to identify bugs — which a good number of users reported, particularly those who live in multi-dwelling buildings. Delivery of ordered test kits are expected to begin by the end of the month.